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Friday, March 29, 2024

Rain or Shine secures top seed

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RAIN or Shine showed why it is the team on top.

The Elasto Painters out-steadied Meralco for a tough 106-99 overtime win to secure the top seed in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Reggie Johnson scored five of his game-high 21 points in the extra period and also had 18 rebounds for a strong double-double outing to help Rain or Shine.

“It was a great team win. Everyone stepped up. It’s a big game and now, we get to rest for a bit knowing we’re up there,” said Johnson. “It’s a great feeling.”

Rain or Shine remained the league’s hottest team, extending its winning streak to six games to improve to 9-1 with a game left.

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The victory allowed the Elasto Painters to lock up the top seed as even a tie with second-running Alaska, in any case, will still give them the edge due to win over the other.

More importantly, Rain or Shine is bound to enjoy a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals against whoever ends up at No. 8.

For the Bolts, they fell to 7-4 in fourth place. It was a huge defeat as a victory could’ve given them a strong chance for a Top 2 finish.

Still, they can keep their chance provided that Alaska loses against Barangay Ginebra.

Maverick Ahanmisi came up big for Rain or Shine as well, flirting with a triple-double of 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Chris Tiu added 13 markers.

Regulation ended at 96-all with both teams unable to score in the crucial stretches.

The protagonists only had two points each inside the last five minutes of the fourth period as neither connected on a basket despite multiple chances in the waning moments, causing overtime.

Chris Newsome’s lay-up with 6:32 remaining tied the game up, completing Meralco’s rally from 13 points down at the half.

Rain or Shine started out solidly, but Meralco climbed its way back in the second half, making it anyone’s game towards the end.

Newsome finished with a double-double of 21 points and 11 assists for the Bolts.

The scores: 

Rain or Shine 106 – Johnson 21, Ahanmisi 2, Tiu 13, Daquioag 11, Almazan 9, Norwood 9, Yap 7, Belga 5, Nambatac 5, Ponferada 4, Casiño 2, Torres 0, Washington 0.

Meralco 99 – Newsome 21, Onuaku 20, Amer 19, De Ocampo 10, Canaeta 9, Hodge 7, Caram 4, Lanete 3, Dillinger 3, Tolomia 3.

Quarters: 28-27, 64-51, 84-81, 96-96, 106-99

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